They weren't facing a top-eight team but the Eels passed an important test they simply had to pass with last week's away win over the Dragons.
While a loss could've been potentially disastrous in terms of ladder positions, it was more about the way they went about winning, committing to defence and getting good direction from Mitch Moses and Reed Mahoney.
While Brad Arthur would've liked to see a couple more tries, it was exactly the kind of performance his side needs to consistently produce if they want to keep playing deep into September.
The Knights are still a legitimate mathematical chance of climbing into the top eight but it's hard to see that happening on recent form.
Match: Eels v Knights
Round 21 -
home Team
Eels
6th Position
away Team
Knights
12th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
The Rundown
Team news
Eels: Parra have made a late change with Daniel Alvaro coming in for Kane Evans. Peni Terepo has been elevated from the reserves to the bench, while Jaeman Salmon was cut an hour before kick-off. The Eels have won six of their seven games at Bankwest Stadium, but Newcastle have won 11 of their past 13 games against the Eels. Greg Leleisiuao and Stefano Utoikamanu were omitted 24 hours before kick-off.
Knights: Kurt Mann will play despite a knee injury suffered in last week's loss to the Sea Eagles. James Gavet has been ruled out with a hamstring problem while Danny Levi will start at hooker and Connor Watson reverts to the bench. Gavet and Jirah Momoisea were the two men to drop out on Friday, while Jamie Buhrer and Beau Fermor were omitted an hour prior to kick-off. Newcastle have won 11 of their past 13 games against the Eels.
Match: Eels v Knights
Round 21 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton GuthersonFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika SivoWinger for Knights is number 2 Kurt Mann
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Michael JenningsCentre for Knights is number 3 Hymel Hunt
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Waqa BlakeCentre for Knights is number 4 Tautau Moga
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Brad TakairangiWinger for Knights is number 5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan BrownFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Mason Lino
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Knights is number 7 Mitchell Pearce
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Reed MahoneyHooker for Knights is number 22 Danny Levi
-
Prop for Eels is number 15 Daniel AlvaroProp for Knights is number 10 Daniel Saifiti
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Manu Ma'u2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Mitchell Barnett
-
Lock for Eels is number 13 Nathan BrownLock for Knights is number 13 Tim Glasby
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 14 Marata NiukoreInterchange for Knights is number 9 Connor Watson
-
Interchange for Eels is number 16 David GowerInterchange for Knights is number 14 Jacob Saifiti
-
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Tepai MoeroaInterchange for Knights is number 16 Sione Mata'utia
-
Interchange for Eels is number 19 Peni TerepoInterchange for Knights is number 17 Aidan Guerra
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Referee: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell
Last updated:
Key match-up
Sure, Mitch Moses and Mitchell Pearce are perhaps the most influential men in this clash, but they can't do much without a platform. Enter the forwards – and what a battle we have between hulking Newcastle prop David Klemmer and Eels giant Junior Paulo.
For the Eels to win
Mitch Moses has to keep providing strong leadership and smart game management, while the workmanlike Parra pack has to tame the Knights forwards. A lot of talk will be needed in defence, especially when Kalyn Ponga is looming.
For the Knights to win
If the Knights are going to save their 2019 campaign they need to get any off-field distractions out of their heads and quickly rediscover the formula that rocketed them into the top four halfway through the season. Pearce and Ponga have to light a fire under this team before it's too late.
Brett Kimmorley says
Parramatta looked a bit flat last week but were still good enough to win thanks to Mitchell Moses’ game management and kicking game. They just seem to find a lot more energy when they are playing at Bankwest. Newcastle don’t want to let their seasons slide away. I’m curious to see how Nathan Brown tries to get a response from his team this week after dropping three players last week. Where will it come from this week? Eels by 8
Stat Attack
Knights halfback Pearce doesn't hold a candle to Eels counterpart Moses's 20 try assists (1st in NRL) but that doesn't mean he can't put players in space. Pearce sits second for line break assists with 14, while Moses doesn't crack the top 10.
And another thing ...
It's been almost 18 years since the Knights upstaged Parramatta to win the 2001 grand final. The Knights shocked the Eels with the first of Bill Peden's two tries in the third minute and quickly blew the score out to 24-0, which is how it stayed at half-time. Brett Hodgson scored for Parra early in the second half but Timana Tahu scored for the Knights. The Eels scored the game's final three tries but the clock ran out on their comeback and Newcastle claimed their second premiership with a 30-24 victory.
